Tag: american history
Martin Luther, the Reformation & Protestantism
American Minute with Bill Federer
On OCTOBER 31, 1517, an Augustinian monk named Martin Luther posted 95 debate questions or "theses" on the door of...
George Whitefield died SEPTEMBER 30, 1770
American Minute with Bill Federer
Beginning in 1740, George Whitefield preached seven times in America, to crowds sometimes over 25,000.
He spread the Great Awakening Revival,...
William Bradford, Squanto and the Pilgrims
American Minute with Bill Federer
Of 102 Pilgrims that landed in Massachusetts in November of 1620, only half survived till spring.
In the Spring of 1621,...
Samuel Adams – “The Father of the American Revolution,”
American Minute with Bill Federer
Crying "No taxation without representation," he instigated the Stamp Act Riots in 1765.
In 1770, after the Boston Massacre, where British...
Daniel Boone died SEPTEMBER 26, 1820
American Minute with Bill Federer
During the French and Indian War, 20-year-old Daniel Boone, and his cousin-future General Daniel Morgan, served as wagon drivers for...
George Mason – “The Father of the Bill of Rights”
American Minute with Bill Federer
"Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Thus began the first of...
John Marshall born SEPTEMBER 24, 1755
American Minute with Bill Federer
"The power to tax involves the power to destroy," wrote Chief Justice John Marshall, McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819.
Perhaps no one...
John Paul Jones – “Father of the American Navy”
American Minute with Bill Federer
"I have not yet begun to fight!" shouted John Paul Jones when the captain of the 50-gun British frigate HMS...
Nathan Hale was hanged SEPTEMBER 22, 1776
American Minute with Bill Federer
"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" were the last words of 21-year-old...
Oaths and the Constitution
American Minute with Bill Federer
Chief Justice James Kent explained in People v. Ruggles, 1811, what made OATHS effective:
"In Taylor's case ... the court ......
Fisher Ames helped ratify the Constitution
American Minute with Bill Federer
He sat next to George Washington in the pew at St. Paul's Chapel in New York during the religious service...
President Washington’s Farewell Address
American Minute with Bill Federer
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolken describes man's insatiable lust for "the Ring of Power," as Gandalf exclaimed:
"Always...
John Langdon died SEPTEMBER 18, 1819
American Minute with Bill Federer
John Langdon was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1741 and grew up as a member of the North Congregational...
Emerson, “America is another name for opportunity…”
American Minute with Bill Federer
"Done ... the SEVENTEENTH DAY of SEPTEMBER, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven."
This...
Pilgrims, Mayflower and God
American Minute with Bill Federer
SEPTEMBER 16, 1620, according to the Gregorian Calendar, 102 passengers set sail on the Pilgrims' ship, Mayflower, with the blessings...
William Howard Taft born SEPTEMBER 15, 1857
American Minute with Bill Federer
He was the only U.S. President to be appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
His name was William Howard...
Harvard’s purpose – “To train a literate clergy”
American Minute with Bill Federer
John Harvard's grandfather lived in Stratford-upon-Avon and was an associate of Shakespeare's father.
His father was a butcher and owner of...
Thomas McIntyre Cooley died SEPTEMBER 12, 1898
American Minute with Bill Federer
The dean of the University of Michigan Law School was Thomas McIntyre Cooley, who died SEPTEMBER 12, 1898.
Thomas M. Cooley...
On this day – SEPTEMBER 11
American Minute with Bill Federer
SEPTEMBER 11, 1565:
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent dominated the Mediterranean, with intentions of not only invading Sicily, Sardinia, Majorca, and southern...
Joseph Story died SEPTEMBER 10, 1845
American Minute with Bill Federer
His father was a Boston Tea Party "Indian."
He graduated second in his class from Harvard, was a U.S. Representative, then...